2005 News Story05/17/2005Arrangements made for further aid to Palestinians

Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh today President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Dr Jakob Kellenberger, who also met with Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

While in the Kingdom Dr Kellenberger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financing of a number of humanitarian projects in aid of the Palestinian people, to be implemented by the ICRC. The finance, SR 4 million [U.S. $1.07 million], is being provided by the Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People. The MoU was also signed by the Committee’s Chairman, Dr. Saeed Al-Harthi and by Dr Saleh Al-Tuwaijry, Acting President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society. Dr Al-Harthi commented that this move comes within the framework of assisting the Palestinian people through all available channels, notably cooperation with international organizations and joint financing. This MoU, he said, means regular distribution of food packages and drinking water for about 2,500 families. It also means assistance with infrastructure, such as construction of housing units and rehabilitation of damaged wells.